A SouHaru Week 2025 Event is currently on the brewing for this year as well, but a new blog for an annual event is on the making because I really want to keep this Event going.
Mark your calendars for the Event is returning on September!
I had trouble with the app, so no acces to the blog until today, but I would like to inform everyone interested that I plan on repeating the SouHaru Week Event for this year as well!
💫 The SouHaru Week 2024 Event is officially closed! I’d like to think of it as a love letter 💌, enveloping the fondness and care for our boys felt by all the SouHarus out there. From us to them and back to us again! 💞
💕 And of course a very warm thank you to everyone who participated! 🥰💕
SouHaru
1507 words
Yamazaki Sousuke, Nanase Haruka +
SFW
This is for the Day 1: Open-air cinema & language prompt for SouHaru Week 2024.
Super duper late and unedited. SUMiMASEN!!!m(_ _)m
It’s all Rin’s fault.
All—
The foreign language movie that is currently giving him a headache.
The chill that bites in his bones on this early September night.
The rumble of his empty stomach— protesting.
He’s the reason why he’s ended up here.
A nearly empty open air cinema save for the 3 school-kids whispering and giggling on the far back, the elderly couple right in the front rows holding hands and… Haru beside him.
If sousuke knew that both Rin and Makoto would bail on them like that, he’d never had agreed to this…
Never!
The movie was a two, maybe three, hell, it could have been even more hours long — long — rerelease of an American romance film with cheesy plot and even cheesier character lines that made Sousuke roll his eyes in incredulity whenever he happened to catch some subtitles in between yawns and half dozing in boredom…
This wasn't what he had been promised.
He can perfectly recall Rin saying that they would be seeing a fantasy story, with enough action and interesting messages about the human experience to even keep him awake…
Well, that wasn't how it turned out. Sure, Rin was right about him staying awake, although not entirely...
As autumn slowly creeped its way in, the final days of summer would always be marked with bone-seeping humidity and in combination with the nippy gusts that smacked him in the face, sleeping his boredom away simply wasn’t a viable option.
And he really should have known.
This was Rin we’re talking about, after all…
Rin was supposed to drive to the Training Center Makoto worked to pick him up after his shift, so they could — at last — all meet after two whole months.
Their work and training schedules were keeping them busy and apart — mostly apart — for days or even weeks, without time for even a quick chat over coffee together.
But for all four of them to hang out, now that was the real challenge.
As such, each had even more things they did on their own and the one to always have a new weird hobby to report was none other than Haruka with Rin a close second simply because no one of them could get over that one bunji jumping session he had from over 2 years ago.
Slowly, they all changed into the people they were supposed to be and Sousuke was no exception.
These past few years… Sousuke had calmed down significantly; he had grown more accustomed to having a day completely off from swimming every couple weeks, without feeling anxious that he would lag behind.
Besides reading new articles about anything related to swimming, new practice techniques and training, he had to also care for his deportment as an athlete. No matter how he ended up with an old publishing of Savoir Vivre and how he actually even opened it up, the one thing he has decided to ignore is anything he read about food. The empty plate of his tonkatsu and even a second one, is nonnegotiable. In all this, he even read a variety of books, just to keep up with the trends Rin would bring up in their conversations.
He found himself enjoying things he cloud never even imagine before, like reading literature or watching wild animal documentaries or go to karaoke; much more, still, when he had someone to call a partner in crime…
So an old movie rerun-screening in one of Tokyo's back alley Theaters with his best friend, chill as it was, was actually something he looked forward to.
That’s why he felt his mood light that evening. And for one other reason, but that isn’t of the time—
And apparently, he wasn't the only one…
Haru was excited, Sousuke noted when they first met up in front of the Station square; even though he already knew that this was to be expected since he’d be finally in the company of his most treasured friends — so naturally his mood would be lifted — it still surprised him. The one truly odd thing, however was that this small bliss emanating from Haru hadn't wane in the slightest by the time they arrived at the front gate of the Theater.
‘Isn’t Haru like really sour and guarded whenever he has to be alone with him?’
Sousuke was so certain that at some point his moodiness would eventually kick in if it was just the two of them, that he mentally preyed it wouldn’t take too long for Makoto and Rin to come.
Poor soul; little did he know how this evening would actually play out…
The place in turn, was an old, semi-rundown open-air cinema, that as far as Sousuke could tell from the extreme contrast between the pristine pamphlets and posters and the dusty scratched up and flaked wooden case they rested in, it also hadn't open in quite some time…
If this place was haunted or cursed, he would make Rin spit blood—
He and Haruka exchanged a look in silence, then, before he asked; “Check what plays?” and Haruka nodding back in affirmation, pivoted towards the case next to the tickets booth with Sousuke following suit.
“Do you have the tickets?” Haru asked and Sousuke patted at his jacket’s chest pocket in response, as they both looked closer to the pinned program on the board; the program was a plain A4 photocopy paper that only listed two hours and the fairs for adults and kids and nothing more. They looked at each other and settled to at least check the film titles; there were 5 different movie posters among which they found a splatter, a Rambo and to their horror a romantic drama— which they decidedly ignored, hopping their tickets weren’t for that one.
Unfortunately for them, they got proven wrong.
The sole movie playing that evening was the Romance one, as the movies were projected on a rotating schedule 2 times a day.
“There is no way he planned it, right?” Haruka said horrified.
“Knowing Rin— he must have.” Sousuke replied, rubbing at his temple; this was easy to predict and yet…
He never expected to be roped into this chick flic, about how a lover’s longing is so powerful that can bent logic and fate will always unite the unmatched, but only after the deepest, truest, most absolutely embarrassing words have been clearly relayed to the other.
‘See? I did understood what the ‘message’ was!’, he thought angrily. Mentally noting how he should plot a way to take his revenge.
He actually knew why Rin would be setting him up like this, he just didn’t want to acknowledge it.
The whole poetry of the old place— the never changing essence of life and love under the scenic moon glow, the elderly lovey-dovey couple at the front serving as the past, the kids in the back as the future— oh, Sousuke understood the themes and the lessons all too well in this assignment Rin had put out for him.
He had made him learn about this in one of their previous conversations…
‘The language of love, huh?’ he snorted at himself remembering it.
It was as if Rin was urging him: ‘Tell him. Tell him now—’
This was hell…
Looking up the screen as the words ‘End’ were rolled out and over it the glittering full moon etched in the clear Autumn sky, Sousuke made up his mind…
From the corner of his eye, he looked at the man sitting next to him, that absently gazed as the screen gradually turned completely black and the bulbs on the gravel-covered pathways slowly lit up, again.
God, why? Why—
But for whatever reason, there was one truth and one truth only and this was as good a time to admit it as any, so he resolved to hook his eyes back on the bright moon overhead, his chest swelling with an intake of the chilly night air and his heart chocking momentarily on a throb as he said softly: “Say, Haru..”
“Hm!” Haruka, turned to look at him questioningly, but Sousuke din’t met his gaze. Not yet.
And without missing a beat he said with a sweetness that had never left his lips before; “… the moon is beautiful, ain't it.”
<<月🌕がきれいだよね>>
The look on Haruka’s face, when he finally turned to him, was a mixture of surprise and quizzical incredulity, as if he was asking ‘why are you saying that?’ and of course he would make that face— ‘corny’ was Rin’s job, after all. But Sousuke merely smiled.
Their eyes locking, as they truly saw each-other for the first time in their long acquaintance.
And he may not know how tender he had looked like at that moment, but he saw Haru’s expression shift from one of puzzlement, to realisation, to anxiousness before his gaze finally broke off in a flurry of lashes only to instantly come back again— this time gentle and steady...
“Indeed— so much it hurts…”
_____________________
~*~
A.N.: I can’t believe how many times I had to save this thing in order to have something to post! _(:3 」∠)_ SouHaru save meee!!!
The reblogs for the event will be closing in a few hours! If you have WIPs that are about to finish or have posted a work I haven’t reblogged this is your chance!
I realised that tumblr will NOT show outside links! 😭 If you have posted a work with a link to AO3 or something, please @ the event blog!!!
If you’re still up for the event and you would like to contribute something for our boys but time or luck wasn’t on your side…
Here’s your chance to gear up and finish any WIPs or maybe even make something quick and cute (if you’re hot like that~ ;)), as reblogs for the event will be open for the whole day!!!
SouHaru
933 words
Free!
Yamazaki Sousuke, Nanase Haruka +
SFW
Absolutely late for my boy’s birthday, but here’s a short for SouHaru Week 2024, Day 7: Birthdays & Reservations! Hope you N’joy! _(:3 」∠)_
On slow days, he doesn’t know what to do with himself. He never did.
He’d always either train or help at the restaurant but now, 4 years after that Olympic medal, that is not necessary…
He is a full time athlete, he’s representing Japan in most races and practice is his routine, so days when he’s completely free to do nothing but cool down and relax are not a luxury but a necessity. He hates that.
Especially when it’s coupled with a bothersome date. Like today— like his birthday…
His phone wouldn’t stop ringing and beeping all day long, his residence’s landline phone the same, and not being able to go anywhere but have a two-hours session at the indoors public pool near his house was a nightmare for him.
The pure anxiety of properly responding to all those wishes, wrecked him.
All he could do, was reply with a ‘thank you’ and hope people weren’t offended by his lack of communication skills…
At some point, he was even scared that a message would come for him to go out for a coffee and end up in a secret-birthday-party-trap laid out by Kisumi, like last year. The message came, but it really just was an invitation to hang out. And it wasn’t even from Kisumi. It was from Ai.
Apparently, the daily lives of everyone he knew were too busy to manage a meeting even on a Saturday evening… Ai looked crestfallen as he explained how he had tried to gather their friends for a meet up for Sousuke’s birthday.
He feels both relived and disappointed that the idea didn’t come to fruition, but he appreciates the sentiment all the same.
He’s grateful to Ai for giving him a reason to spent some couple more hours outside the four walls of his apartment— it simply feels too bleak to be left alone with himself right now.
Now that he’s away…
He decides that a long walk is due before going back.
When he returns home, he stubs his toe on something by the entrance of the living-room; “Shit..!” he winces at the collision while the thing moves a bit on the opposite direction…
… and suddenly it clicks in his mind.
‘He can’t be—‘
But in the quiet of the dark room, he can hear the sound of sloshing water. He doesn’t even bother to switch on the lights, he just makes a beeline to the bathroom—
The bathroom, were the best present he could hope for is.
Still, fear coils in his gut; ‘why didn’t he hear about him coming today?’
‘He was out the country for a month-long training camp until the day after tomorrow. wasn’t he?’
‘Did something happen? Did something—‘
But in any occasion, he's here… He’s got him now.
In front of the door, he pauses, hand suspended for a moment longer as he thinks that he hasn’t really prepared any food and there’s no wine and also there’s no cake because he didn’t particularly feel like celebrating on his own, and then the voice that calls his name from inside startles him out of his thoughts; “Sousuke...?”
Coming back to himself, Sousuke just turns the doorknob to open the door as he hums a ‘yes’; his heart fluttering in his chest.
‘Is he alright?’
Inside, is Haruka that — of course — sits in the filled bathtub, steams fogging the mirror and clinging on the tiled walls. Sousuke merely crosses the threshold and leans against the door frame…
This is supposed to be the safe zone— or at least that’s what Sousuke wants to believe.
Haruka looks at him, quiet as always…
The silence is awkward, but a bit too amusing for Sousuke. He doesn’t feel like sharing his thoughts tonight.
“What?” Haruka asks after a long moment.
‘Maybe a bit too awkward, even for Haru…’ he thinks. “Nothing~” he replies.
It’s just— everything…
He is everything—
Frowning, Haruka presses a bit more; “So why are you just standing there?”
‘Because I’m scared to touch you.’
‘Because I’m scared you’re an illusion.’
‘Because…’
Of all the things that crossed Sousuke’s mind to say, his fears won him over; “Because I like looking at you, why else?”
The snort Haruka releases is short and meant to sound angry, but it lacks ire and his expression settles in a pout as he speaks under his breath; he says: “Hmf! And here I was thinking you’d kiss me or something after an entire month…”
And he would. Sousuke would kiss him if he wasn’t still trembling and being an emotional wreck with Haru showing up in front of him 3 days earlier than scheduled, and after communicating solely through a single phone-call twice a week for a whole month. How could another human being make him this weak— but it wasn’t merely another human being, was it?
“Haru—” he says and he stands straight up away from the doorframe, “why are you back earlier? Did something happe—“
“I wanted to spent this day with you…” Haruka cuts him, “… happy birthday, Sousuke.” he says with a tilt of his head, eyes gazing right into his.
Hearing this, Sousuke’s eyes are blown open, much like many times in the past when Haruka has opened his mouth…
Or anything Haruka has ever done, really…
And the soft gaze and slopped smile slowly playing on his lips, speaks volumes more than his terse answer allows; “Thank you, Haru— Welcome home.”
I missed you…
And unpredictably, it’s Haruka’s voice that breaks first, his own eyes glimmering as he answers all Sousuke’s worries: “I’m home.”
Because I love you…
______________
––––––––––––
A.N.: Bloody hell!!! I barely made it for the very last day of the reblogs to my own damn event! I can't believe this!!! GAAAH!!! Someone recommend me a pc capable of handling 3D design because I can’t find something adequate and not working on a computer that doesn't eat my scripts or connects to cloud WHEN I need it is driving me insane! I’ll bite someone!!! 😤
I want to submit something but I don't think I'll make the deadline :(
Hello, Anon-san! (๑･̑◡･̑๑)
The deadline due on September 15, is only for those submitting works directly with the Event blog, but for some time zones it may be from some hours+ to the next day, so if by the time you’re ready the submit button works, GO FOR IT!!! ٩( 'ω' )و
Otherwise, you can post your work on your blog with the #souharuweek2024 & #souharuweek24 tags or @ the Event blog so I can find your post and reblog it. Reblogs will be on all throughout the following week, too, so deadline is essentially on September 22— 23 for some time zones! (๑･̑◡-๑)
So please, don’t give up Anon-san! がんばれ! ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ I would love to see what you are preparing! ♡♡♡
